UP minister, ex-India cricketer Chetan Chauhan passes away
GURUGRAM/LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister and former Indian cricketer Chetan Chauhan passed away on Sunday at a private hospital in Gurugram. He had tested Covid-19 negative on August 12 but tested positive on August 13 and suffered multiple organ failure, medical officials from the hospital said on condition of anonymity. The UP government declared state mourning on Sunday and said that the national flag would fly halfmast on Monday in Hapur district where the mortal remains of Chauhan would be cremated.
He is the second UP minister who died of Covid-19 complications. On August 2, UP technical education minister Kamal Rani Varun, 62, had passed away of Covid-19 complications at the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science (SGPGIMS) in Lucknow.
Chauhan was 73 and is survived by his wife Sangeeta and son Vinayak. President Ramnath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP governor Anandiben Patel, chief minister Yogi Aditayanath, Chauhan’s cabinet colleagues, leaders of various political parties, Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli and several others expressed shock and grief over Chauhan’s demise.
The UP minister had tested positive for Covid-19 and admitted to Rajdhani Covid Hospital, SGPGIMS on July 11 and was discharged on July 15 on his personal request, said Prof RK Dhiman, director PGI.
“He was brought for treatment to Gurugram on July 31 from Lucknow”, said the Gurugram hospital. “Chauhan tested negative on August 12 but next day (August 13) he tested positive again. He was put on ventilator on Saturjnd he succumbed to the infection on Sunday,” the hospital added. The former Indian cricketer was suffering from pancreatitis and candida fungal infection which spread in his body. He also developed kidney infection and later septicaemia,
which caused organ failure, they said. The two-time former Lok Sabha MP was home guards minister in the Yogi Adityanath’s cabinet, having served as the state’s sports minister earlier.
LUCKNOW : President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, governor Anandiben Patel, chief minister Yogi Adityanath, defence minister Rajnath Singh, Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and several political leaders and sportspersons condoled the death of former Indian cricketer and UP’s minister for home guards Chetan Chauhan, who passed away due to coronarelated complications at a hospital in Gurugram on Sunday.
In a tweet the President said: “Saddened by the demise of UP cabinet minister Chetan Chauhan. He was an excellent cricketer and fine parliamentarian.”
PM Modi also tweeted: “Chetan Chauhan ji distinguished himself as a wonderful cricketer and later as a diligent political leader. He made effective contributions to public service and strengthened the BJP in UP. Anguished by his passing away. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti.”
“I am deeply saddened and greatly pained from the news of Chetan Chauhan’s demise. During the course of his political innings, he always took up people’s cause. He was known as a well-meaning, kind-hearted person. My condolences to his family” tweeted Rajnath Singh, who is also the Lucknow MP. Yogi expressed grief and prayed for the peace to the departed soul. Recalling the cricketing career of Chauhan, Yogi said he played his last test match against Pakistan in 1981 and was an Arjuna awardee. “His death is an irreparable loss to society, government, and the sports world,” he said.
Virat Kohli tweeted: “Shocked to hear about the passing away of Shri Chetan Chauhan ji. May his soul rest in peace and my thoughts and prayers are with his family.” UP BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh, who too had tested positive for Covid-19 and is in home isolation, also tweeted his condolences. “He worked with dedication and for public welfare,” he tweeted. UP minister Mohsin Raza, a former cricketer himself, recalled his association with Chauhan both as cricketer and as minister. “It’s a loss beyond words,” he said.
Opposition leaders like Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, BSP chief Mayawati, leader of opposition in UP assembly Ramgovind Chaudhary also condoled Chauhan’s demise.